Alan Shearer bluntly tells Alexander Isak exactly how Liverpool transfer saga will play out

Alan Shearer has told Alexander Isak the harsh reality that Newcastle United's search for a new striker could cost him a move to Liverpool. Isak is wanted by the Reds and has been training away from Eddie Howe's side.

The club have already rejected a bid from Liverpool worth up to £120million for the forward. Isak was not part of Newcastle's pre-season tour of Asia and spent time training at his former club Real Sociedad.

The 25-year-old has since reported back to Newcastle’s training ground but was not involved in the team’s 2-2 draw with Espanyol on Friday. Newcastle legend Shearer understands that the Isak situation needs to be resolved, and the Premier League's all-time goal scorer believes the club’s issues in the transfer market could leave the striker with no other options.

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“The biggest thing they have to do is, somehow, sort the Isak situation out - and if they can't get anyone in, I guess that means he isn't going anywhere,” Shearer explained to Betfair. “Eddie will have to be at his persuasive best to try and turn Isak's head around because it has been turned in terms of him wanting to go to Liverpool.

“On the proviso that he does want to go and Eddie can't turn his head, then you get the money. But prior to that, you have to get people in to replace him.”

Manchester United have dealt Newcastle their latest transfer blow by completing a £74m deal for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko. It has been a frustrating summer for the Magpies, who also saw former target Bryan Mbeumo head to Old Trafford.

Earlier this summer, Newcastle, who have qualified for the Champions League, lost out to Chelsea in their efforts to sign Liam Delap and Joao Pedro. Hugo Ekitike also opted to join Liverpool over Howe’s team.

Newcastle have signed Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest and brought in goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale on loan after losing out to Manchester City for James Trafford. Shearer discussed sporting director Paul Mitchell’s departure possibly leading the club to miss out on their top transfer targets.

“Why can’t Newcastle get business done? I don't know whether it's to do with the fact they don't have a chief executive or sporting director,” Shearer said. “They've known for months now that the chief executive was leaving so I'm pretty surprised that one hasn't been announced as yet.

“The sporting director left a couple of months ago now and they've known that, so that's a big surprise that those spaces haven't been filled. Whether that has anything to do with Newcastle's lack of business and the number of players that have said no to them, I don't know. It's not a good look.”

Meanwhile, Newcastle boss Howe has explained that Isak is not ready to be involved with the first team, despite William Osula being the club’s only other recognised striker. However, the manager did not rule out bringing Isak back into his squad in the future.

"We’ve had discussions and it’s clear at the moment we can’t have him involved with the group,” Howe said after Newcastle’s draw with Espanyol. “I don’t know how long that will be for. It’s clear I can’t involve him with the team at the moment.

"He is training later than the rest of the squad. There have been discussions since the tour. I don’t think disciplinary action has happened.

"He is here, so of course he has a future at Newcastle. From our perspective, we would love to have him back with the team, but the situation has to be right for that to happen."

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